It’s common knowledge that exercising and eating balanced meals have a positive impact on physical health and well-being. For children, these practices are especially important because childhood habits often predict adult behavior. However, there are additional benefits to adopting these healthy habits from a young age.

Parents often ask, “How can my child do better in school?” “How can I help improve my child’s grades?”

The answer is simple.

Encourage your child to get up and get active.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) conducted a study to determine if there was a correlation between activity levels and academic performance. Their findings suggested that the more physical activity children were able to participate in, the better their academic performance.

In relation to extracurricular activities, the CDC study concluded that “GPA was positively associated with extracurricular physical activity 12 of the 22 times it was measured. Two studies also examined the association between extracurricular activities and dropout rates and found that participation was linked to decreased high school dropout rates.”

Additionally, regular exercise shows the following effects on the brain:

Greater oxygen and blood flow to the brain
Improved mood
Better immune system function
Increased levels of energy
Even more!

The benefits of regular physical activity for both adults and children are countless. If you are looking for a way to improve your child’s academic performance and grades, look for ways to include activity into their daily routine.

Try a free youth programs class!